Acetylene-gas generator.



PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903 GOODYEAR. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1902.

4 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

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N. GOODYEAR. AOETYLENE GAS. GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

ATTOHNE Y5 PATENTEDDEG. 15, 1903.

N. GOODYEAR; AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10. 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

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PATENTBD DEC, 15, 1903.

N. GOODYEAR. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1902.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

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ATTOHNEK) No. 746,821. I i V I Patented December 15, 1903. UNIT D STATE PAT NT OFFICE.

NELSON GOODYEAR, OF ELUsHIN-e, NE YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. B. COLT COMPANY, E nEwYoEK, N. Y., a ooaPonArlon OF NEW JERSEY.

Ac|-:TYLIN. Ej-oA s GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 746,821 dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed September 10,1902; Serial No.l22.883. .(Ncmodel.)

Toall whom it may concern: Q 16 isan enlargedlongitudi'nal sectional view Be it known that 'I, NELSON GoonvEAn; of the filter shown in Fig". 1. a citizen of the United States, residing at 1 "Referring to the drawings,awater holding Flushing, Long Island, in the State of New vessel A isprovided witha suitable hopper B 5 5 5 York, have invented certain new and useful" :and cover 0, while connections are provided Improvements in Acetylene Generators, of leading from thegenerating-chamber-of the which the following is a specification, accom vessel A't'o the gasometer D, which, as shown panied by drawings. in this instance, consistsof the outer station- 'My invention'relates to acetylene-generaary vessel E and'the rising and falling bell 6e 10 tors; and its objects are to im provethe con According to'my construction the imstruction and operation of such generators proved operative connections are provided and to secure more efficient regulation than between a moving part oflthe mechanism, as heretofore. I I the rising'and falling bell F, and the valve- Further objectsof my invention are to incontrolling mechanism of the carbid-valve 65 crease the economy of operation of the ap iwithin the. hopper '13, whereby said carbidp'aratus with a simplified construction which valve is controlled by the. volume of gas and is not liable to get out of order, and there- ,the movements of the bell. fore operates with certainty. J The gasometer D, as shown, is provided Further objects of my invention will here jwith a'double bottom, formed by the bottom 70 2o i'nafter appear; and to these ends'm ylinven- G of the stationary vessel E and the second tion consists in a generator forearrying out ior inner bottom or dividing wall H, which dithe above objects constructed and arranged vides the vessel 'E' into two compartments, and, having the general mode of operation within the upper compartment of which the substantially as hereinafter fully-described, bell F rises andfalls,-"while the lowercom- 75 and shown in this specification and accolnpartrnentl is partially'filled-with water and' panying drawings, in which' 7 forms a combined drain-trap and water seal Figure l is a side elevation, partly in lonfor the pipes extending downward into said gitudinal--- section, of generating apparatus gchamber. embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is aplan Suitablepiping J leads from the vessel A 80 view of the apparatus, partly in section, on to the lower chamber I of the gasometer and the line 2 2 of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged connects within the'same with a pipe K, the detailed view of the tank in longitudinal seclower end of which is water'sealed, while the tion with a portion of the tank partly broken npper portion extends through the second away." 'Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailvie'w, bottom H upwardly above the level of the 85 partlyin section, of a portion of the apparawater within the bell. Surrounding the uptus shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5-is an enlarged {per end of the pipe K'is a fi'oatingtrap'L, plan viewof' the inner casing or casting of which should. be so weighted that its sealing the hopper, together with the valve-controlflange 0 extends down in'to'fthe water within ling connections. Fig. dis a side elevation the gasometer, so thatthe gas in passing from 90 4o ofthe'parts shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a do the pipe K into the ga'someter will'hav'e to tail sectional view of one of thespring-catches break the seal in. passing under the flange 0. shown in Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 8 is a detail Oonsequently the gas-pressure in the gasomview in-sectional plan with aportion of the Zet-er will be correspondingly less vthan inthe" inner casting of the hopperbroken away and generating-chainher. When for any reason 9 5 showing the stnffin'g-boxior the rock-shaft the gas-pressureinthe generating-chamber is controlling a'carbid-valve. Fig. 9 is a dereduced, the trap L sinks and prevents the tail View, in side elevation,of a portion of backfiow of gas from the gasom'eter to the the end of the inner casting of the hopper. generating-chamber. v Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, are, detail views of The gas-edncting pipe P leads from the r60 the carbid-valvecontrollin'glmechanism bechamber I, within which it'connects with the fore assemblage in the apparatus; and Fig. pipe Q, commnnicating'with the gasometer,

.cords 't', and thus secured in position.

the lower end of said pipe Q being watersealed in the chamberl. It will thus be; seen that the chamber I forms a drain-trap for the piping of the gasometer and also for the gaseducting pipe, which latter pipe passes, as shown, to a filtering apparatus R. (Shown in detail in Fig. 16.) The filter consists of an outer casing a, provided with a cover I), suitably connected to the main casing of the filter and, as shown, having a washer c interposed between the casing and the cover to makeagas-tightconnection. Inthisinstance connected to the coverbisadepending sleeve (1, which supports a substantially cylindrical netting or wire framework 6, provided at its lower end with the metallic capf. Means are provided for securing a sheet of felt g or other suitable filtering material over the cylindrical netting e, and in this instance the depending collar d and capf are provided with circular depressions. h, so that the ends of the felt cloth may be tied therein by means ofthe The aperture j in the cap b is adapted for the connection of piping leading from the filter to the apparatus for the utilization of acetylene gas. This construction of filter has been found to operate in an efficient and satisfactory manner, and owing to its simple construction it will be seen that the parts may be readily removed and a' clean filter-cloth substituted, when desired, while by removing the cloth the cylindrical netting may be readily cleaned.

A suitable overflow-pipe S, shown as U- shaped, is provided for the lower chamber I, while the aperture Tin the wall of said chamber leads to the atmosphere.

. A suit-able telescopic blow-0E is provided for the gasometer, comprising the upwardlyextending pipe U, leading to the chamber I and the gasometer, and having a telescopic portion V, which rises and falls with thegasbell F.

A water-supply pipe W is shown as comm unicating with the water vessel A and adapted to be connected to a source of water-supply for filling the tank A, and a suitable valve X is arranged in said pipe W for controlling the supply of water to the vessel. When water is being supplied to the vessel A, means are provided for the out-let of air, in this instance a Vent-cock Y or air-outlet being provided in a portion of the piping leading from the vessel A to the gasometer. Levers k and Z are connected to operate the cocks X and Y and connected to each other by a link 0, so that by moving the handle 19 the cooks X and Y will be operated together. According to this arrangement when it is desired to fill the vessel A with water it will be seen that upon throwing the handle 19 to open the Water-cock X the vent-cock Y for the outlet of air will also be opened and when the water-cock X is closed the vent-cock Y will be closed. Piping q, as shown, is connected from a point sel A to the chamber I for regulating purposes, and the whole construction and arrangement of the apparatus as described has been found to be simple and efficient in operation and economical and satisfactory.

The water vessel A is providedwith an overflow-pipe s, which rises from the level of the bottom of the vessel and is provided with an overflow-opening t and a flush-out cock u. This overflow-pipe is utilized as a water seal for the shaft Q) of the stirring mechanism, shown as comprising a stirrer-blade w, adapted to be swept over the bottom of the vessel A and operated from the handle a: at the top of the overflow-pipe s.

As hereinbefore stated, operative connections are provided between the rising and falling bell F and the carbid-valve within the carbid-hopper B. This valve preferably consists of several parts and comprises the valve 1, suitably secured to the plunger 2, connected to the valve-rod 3, adapted to rise and fall within the upper portion of the inner casing or casting 4. Arranged outside of the plun ger 2 is a casing 5, loosely guided on the Valverod 3 and movable relatively to the valve 1,

the lower end of said casing 5 being adaptedto seat over the valve 1 when it is closed. As the plunger 2 is raised the top 7 thereof carries the casing 5 upwardly, and according to the construction shown the valve 1 will always be moved from its seat 8 before the easing 5 is raised, and as the valve is closed it will be seen that the casing 5 will first seat itself on the hopper and then the valve 1 will be closed. The casing 5 serves as an outer protecting-cover for the valve 1 and plunger 2, so that the movements of said valve are not interfered with by the carbid.

For the proper mounting and protection of the valves 1 provide a separate casting 4. (Shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 3 and as enlarged detail views in Figs. 5 and 6.) This casting is also shown in Fig. 2 in horizontal section, and it will be seen that it comprises,essentially,a bell-shaped portion 9, within which the carbid-valve is adapted to move, and connected thereto and forming a part of the casting 'is a narrower portion or neck 10, provided with cheeks or flanges 11,

having a conical surface for fitting and securinclination of the hopper-wall. In fixingthe casting in position within the hopper the neck portion provided with the cap 12 is thrust through a suitable opening in the wall of the hopper and then the flanges'll secured to the hopper-wal1s in any suit-able manner to fix thecasting in position. i The side of the end or neck of the casting t is provided with a lateral-projection 14, as shown in Fig. 9, having an aperture for the insertion of a rock-shaft 16 transversely through the end of the casting, its interior forming a suitablestufiing-box through which therock-shaft 16 passes to form a tight connection. An arm 17 is loose upon the rock shaft'lfi andat-its outer end engages the plunger 2 of valve 1, lost motion being providedfor between the end of the arm 17 and said plunger. The end of arm 17 connected to the shaft 16'is in this instance forked, while preferably arranged between the forks 18 is a collar 19, adapted to be readily secured to the shaft 16, as byme'ans of a set-screw 20. This collar '19 is provided with a bearing-tip 21; adapted to bear upon the bottom of the arm 17, so that when the shaft 16 is rocked in a direction to carry the arm 17 upwardly the collar 19 will bear against the arm 17 and actuate it in an upward direction. When the shaft ld is rocked in the opposite direction, it will be seen that the arm 17 will not be positively actuated bymovements of the rockshaft, the weight of the carhid-valve and assembled parts then being depended upon to close the valve, the arm 17 being-itself preferably of considerable weight to aid in its downward movement by its own gravity. By

' this arrangement the parts are not apt to get out of order and become broken by reason of lumps of carbid sticking beneath the valve and "its appurtenant parts. Although the angular-travel of the arm 17 is limited accord- 'ing to my construction, the angular motion of the arm 25 and the free travel of the hell are not limited, so that the valve and valve mechanism as a whole may be used with gasometers' cured to move with the shaft 16 is a member 29-, provided with an upwardly-extending catch 30 and-a finger 31. Also loosely secured upon the shaft 16 is a third member32,"

provided with a latch 33,- pivoted therein and adapted to cooperate'with the catch 30. The latch 33 is provided with a shaft 34, extending through the boss 35 of the member-'32 and provided atthe end opposite to the latch -with a trip 36, adapted to impinge upon a stop 37, connected to-the flange 14. A spring 38 normally tends to hold the latch 33 in' oneposition, and the member 32 is adapted to be connected to move with the member 26 by suitable means, in this instance the member 32 being provided with a-spring pressed pin 39, adapted tothe apertures 27- in the member 26, whereby the member 32 is 1 a rod 2 4,

member 26.

The operation of the valvecontrolling" mechanism is substantially as follows: Assu ming the gas-bellF to befin its uppermost position, should the volume 'ofgas decrease,

may beconuectedin-different positions to the l requiring the supply of' mo re carbild to the generating vessel, it will besieenthat asthe arm 25 moves downwardly the l 3- which is normally engaged with the, rock the shaft 16 in a direction: 4, arm 17 upwardly and open the carbi'd-valve,

and according to the-construction 'jdescribed efficient automatic regulation takes, place. It will be seen that the finger 31- extends outwardly over the'bosses of, the member 32,

which is fixed to the movable member-26,- and a as the arm 25 is moved; upwardly-the bosses of member 32 will bear upon the under side of finger 31, and thus rocktheshaft '16 in an opposite direction to that in whichit was rocked when arm 25 moved downward. By this construction positive rotation of therock :shaft in both directions is provided, and the possibility of the valve being held open by a sticking of the rock-shaft in its bearingsor stufiing-box is avoided, because the friction between the parts tends tolcause insteadof to resist the proper motion of the valve.

According to my construction when the car bid is used up and the arm 25 moves dowuward beyond apredetermined limit the trip 36 strikes against stop 37 and throws the latch 33 from engagemeu't with the catch 30,

allowing the valve to close independently of the further motion of thegasometer. When the generator is again charged, the finger31 may be used as a handle to operate manually the valve to start the machine; The resulthandis thus prevented after-:the machine ring rise of the gasometer at once brings up TIC has started and the bell has risen high enough to permit the valve to close.

As shown more particularly in Fig.3, the

lower opening of the hopper B is provided with a removable valve-seat 40, suitably secured to the hopper, as by means'of the screws 41, so that'by removing theva'lv-e-seat orcap {10 and: also the cap 12 from the casting 4 it will be seenthatthe carbid-valve and arm 17 may be removed from the apparatus,the rockshaft 16 and its appurtenances having first 1 been removed to allow the removal of the arm 17. By this construction the feeding suitable valve or cover 45 is pivoted, as at the points 46,130 swing beneath the hopper-opening and shutoff the-supply ofcarbid at a predetermined time. The cover 45 is normally in the position shown in Fig. 3 and connections are provided between said cover and a suitable float 47, whereby when the mechanism of the generator may be readily assemliled and disconnected, as desireds A I broken. it may be readily replaced. Efficient drainage for the gasometer is provided by' means of the construction of the double bot tom and Water seals described, andcertainty of regulation of; the feeding mechanism is secured by means of the arrangement-of operative connection between the gasometer and carbid-valve.

It will be seen that in the construction of my improved filter; there isv an. outer. casing and an inner foraminousunember, shown in this instance as a wire-netting -in the form of a cylinder, while the filter-cloth is secured upon this foraminous member."

According tomy construction the feed-valv of the generator, together with the arm or lever for actuating. the same, are moved in one directionby the action of; gravity, while mechanism is provided for movingsaidfeedvalve and operating=lever-.in:the opposite direction positively. Positive means are provided for actuating the rock-shaft-within the casing4 inboth directions, andanysuitable means may be providedfor actuating said rock-shaft, Ihaving in' this-instance shown.

said mechanism connectedto be operated by means of the gas generated.

I understandthat claims to the gasometer and claims to the gas filter are not propersubjects-matter for claimsinthisapplication. I therefore reserve theriglit to make separate applications for the gasometer and; the gasfilter.

' Obviously some. featuresof my invention may be used without others, andnly invention may be embodied inwidely-varying forms.

Therefore, withoutlimitingmyself; to the construction shownand described. nor enumerating equivalents,.I.claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the following:

1. In afeeding mechanism :fora'generator, the combination of a.rock:shaftand positive means for actuating the same in both directions, a'feed-valve, connections between the feed-valve and the rockrshafu whereby said valve is operated in .one direction only. from the rock-shaft, and; means for disengaging the connections for operating the rock-shaft in one direction, when the actuating means have reacheda predeterminedfposition, su bstantially as set forth.

2. Ina feeding mechanism for a generator, the combination of a feed-valve operated by gravityin onedirection, a lever. connected thereto for actuating said; feedzvalve in theother direction, operating. mechanismv and. means for connecting said mechanism, to move said lever against gravity, automatic,

means for disconnecting said mechanismat a predetermined point in the movement of said lever, and means foractuating said mech anism to allow the lever to move with the feed -valve by gravity, substantially as setforth.

3. In a feeding mechanism for a generator, the combination of a rock-shaft, a feed-valve,

a lever loose upon said rock-shaft andiconv determined position in its downward move'- ment, and means for positively actuatingsaidz rock-shaft during the upward. movementtoff said second lever, substantially as set:forth.

4. Ina feeding mechanism for-.a generator, the combination of azfeed-valve, a rock+shaft and a lever connected'thereto formovingthe feed-valve in one direction, a second actuating-lever, operative connections betweenthe rock-shaft and second lever. for rocking said shaftin both directions, and automatic means for disengaging the connections for rocking; the shaft in one direction when; they second.

lever reaches a predetermined'position, substantially as set forth.

5. In a feeding mechanism-for a generator,- the combination of a feed-valve, a rock-shaft, an actuating-lever extending to the said feed: valve and loosely arranged upon. said rock.- shaft; said lever connected to be actuated by said shaft, a second lever loose upon. said shaft and connected to be operatedby-the; gas generated, operative connections between the rock-shaft and second lever, a stopfor disengaging said connections when. the secondlever reaches a predetermined position. in its-downward movement, a means forkeeping said connections in operative relations, and connections for positively actuating said; rock-shaft: in a direction to close the feedvalve at apredetermined position inthe up. ward movement of said; second lever, substantially as set forth.

6. In a feeding mechanism for-a generator, the combination of a feed-valve; a IBVGIJOOH', nected to actuate said valve in onedirection, a rock-shaft for said lever, a second lever. and. means for actuating the same, operativeconnections between said rockshaft and the second lever, automatic means for disengaging said connections when the secondlever reaches a predetermined positionin its movement, and means for .positivelyactuating, said rock-shaft in the opposite direction as the second lever moves in a reverse direction to its first movement, substantially as set forth.

7. A casing for the hopper of an acetylenegenerator, said casing com prising a bell shaped casing or housing and a narrower neck provided with flanges adapted to be secured to the hopper whereby the casing may protect the feeding mechanism from the carbid, substantially as set forth.

8. A casing for the feeding mechanism of a. gas-generator com prising an enlarged portion and a narrower neck provided with flanges for securing the casing to" the inner wall of the hopper of the generator, and an opening in the end of the neck covered bya removable cap, substantially as set forth.

9. In a gas-generating apparatus, a casing for the hopper of the generator adapted to fit within different-sized hoppers and comprising a neck and an enlarged portion, with flanges on the neck for securing the casing within the hopper,whereby the feeding mechanism may be protected, and bearings in said casing for the operative parts'of the feeding mechanism, substantially as set forth.

10. In a gas-generating apparatus, the com-v bination of a hopper having an aperture in the side thereof, a casing secured to the side of the hopper and provided with a neck extending through said aperture, hearings in said casing for a rock-shaft, a rock-shaft thereimfeeding mechanism within the casing, and means for actuating said feeding mechanism, substantially as set forth.

11. In an aoetylene-gas-generating apparatus, the combination of a hopper, a casing connected thereto, feeding mechanism within the casing, a rock-shaft supported in the easing and extending through a stuffiug-box, a lever connected to said rock-she ft and adapted to move with the feeding mechanism, and mechanism for positively actuating said rockshaft in both directions, substantially as set forth. I

12. Ina gas-generating appa'ratus,the combination with a hopper, of a casing therein, feeding mechanism in said casing,'said casing being provided with a neck having an opening at the end thereof closed bya removable cover, and a removable bottom for the hopper provided with a valve-seat, substantially as. set forth.

13. In afeeding mechanism foragenerator, the combination of a feed device, a lever connected thereto for actuating said device in one direction, operating mechanism for said lever, means for disconnecting said operating mechanism at a predetermined point in the movement of the lever, and means for posi-' tively actuating said operating mechanism to permit the feed device to move, whereby the tendency to stick is eliminated at said feed device, substantially as set forth.

7 14. The combination of a carbid-feeding device, actuating parts for opening and closing the device, and a lost-motion connection for permitting movement of the actuating parts beyond the position for completely closing the said feeding device, the frictionof said lost-motion connections tending to actuate the feeding device whereby the tendency to stick is eliminated at the said lost-motion connections, substantially as described.

15. The combination of a carbid-hopper having walls converging downward, afeedingmechanism casing having correspondinglyinclined securing-flanges and provided with means for mounting, guiding, and protecting the feeding mechanism in cooperative relation to the hopper, substantially as described.

16. The combination with the hopper, the feeding mechanism and the passage way through which the material is fed, of means additional to the feeding mechanism for stopping the feeding of the material when the water falls, and connections for permitting the material to be fed when the water rises, substantially as described. I

17. The combination with the hopper, the feeding mechanism and the passage way through which the material is fed, of means additional to the feeding mechanism for controlling the'feeding of the material actuated both to open and close in accordance with 'the rise andfall of the water, substantially as described.

18. The combination with the hopper, the feeding mechanism and the passage way through which the material is fed, of a safety valve or stop mounted to swing under the hopper and cut off the feeding of the carbid, a float, and connections between said valve and the float for actuating said valve in both directions in accordance with the movements of the float, substantially as described.

19. The combination of a carbid-ehamber having a converging lower portion and discharge-opening, a valve or stop for the discharge-opening, and a casing for the said valve or stop having a portion adapted to the slant of the said converging portion of the carbid-chamber, whereby the same support is adapted to be used with all sizes of carbidchambers which have similar shape.

In testimony whereof I have signed thi specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NELSON GOODYEAR.

Witnesses:

E. V N'ZANDT, I HENRY G. Gnnnnrson.

ICC 

